Railtown 1897 SHP

State Historic Park

Located in Jamestown, in the heart of California’s Gold Country about 100 miles southeast of Sacramento, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park is home to the Historic Jamestown Shops and Roundhouse—an intact and still-functioning steam locomotive repair and maintenance facility, portions of which date back to 1897. This one-of-a-kind attraction combines industrial heritage and railroad history with the lore of Hollywood’s film industry. The Railtown 1897 Interpretive Center, the authentic roundhouse and shops, and the Depot Store (a railroad specialty gift shop) are among the Park’s unique year-round offerings. Railtown 1897 State Historic Park is open Tuesday through Sunday, closed Monday (April-October, from 9:30 to 4:30 p.m.; November-March, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Steam Powered Train Rides
Climb aboard a vintage steam-powered excursion train every weekend at Railtown from April to October. Trains operate every Saturday and Sunday, departing from the Railtown Depot on-the-hour 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Special “themed” excursions operate other times throughout the year. Enjoy a six-mile, 40-minute roundtrip ride through the scenic Sierra foothills, in vintage passenger coaches pulled by an authentic steam locomotive. Regular excursion train tickets are $13 adults, $6 youths ages 6-17, ages 5 and under ride free. Specially themed excursion train prices vary; please inquire for details.

The Railtown 1897 SHP complex includes an authentic railroad roundhouse with operating turntable, functional blacksmithing area, and belt-driven machine shop. Guided Roundhouse Tours are available daily at this unique facility in which locomotives and cars are inspected, repaired, and rebuilt—just as they have been for the past century! The complex includes related historic structures and Hollywood “props,” plus a large picnic area, Depot Store, and Interpretive Center.

The Movie Railroad
Known as “The Movie Railroad,” Railtown’s survival has been aided by the film industry. The first known filming was in 1919, for a silent serial called “The Red Glove.” Railtown 1897 and its historic locomotives and railroad cars have appeared in more than 200 films, television productions, and commercials.

Still a popular Hollywood location site today, Railtown 1897’s most famous locomotive, “Movie Star” No. 3, has been called “perhaps the most widely seen locomotive in the world.” The Virginian (first sound motion picture filmed outside a sound studio), the western classic High Noon, and Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven were all filmed here. Movie crews also produced the railroad sequences in Back to the Future Part III at Railtown. TV credits include “Death Valley Days” (with Ronald Reagan) and “Petticoat Junction."

Location-Directions
The park is located in Jamestown, 3 miles south of Sonora, at 5th Avenue and Reservoir Road.

Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
Summer and spring are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised.

Photography

• We welcome photography for personal use.
• Handheld flash is allowed; however tripods and free standing flash are not permitted for safety reasons.
• Commercial photography is allowed on a case by case basis by advance arrangement. Visit www.film.ca.gov for more information.


Brochures Panorama Video Photos State Parks Store Current Weather Map of Location Accessible Features Cities near the park: California Coastline Photos: California State Railroad Museum Capital District State Museums and Historic Parks Railtown Locomotives and Train Cars California State Railroad Museum Foundation	Railtown 1897 SHP State Historic Park Located in Jamestown, in the heart of California’s Gold Country about 100 miles southeast of Sacramento, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park is home to the Historic Jamestown Shops and Roundhouse—an intact and still-functioning steam locomotive repair and maintenance facility, portions of which date back to 1897. This one-of-a-kind attraction combines industrial heritage and railroad history with the lore of Hollywood’s film industry. The Railtown 1897 Interpretive Center, the authentic roundhouse and shops, and the Depot Store (a railroad specialty gift shop) are among the Park’s unique year-round offerings. Railtown 1897 State Historic Park is open Tuesday through Sunday, closed Monday (April-October, from 9:30 to 4:30 p.m.; November-March, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Steam Powered Train Rides Climb aboard a vintage steam-powered excursion train every weekend at Railtown from April to October. Trains operate every Saturday and Sunday, departing from the Railtown Depot on-the-hour 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Special “themed” excursions operate other times throughout the year. Enjoy a six-mile, 40-minute roundtrip ride through the scenic Sierra foothills, in vintage passenger coaches pulled by an authentic steam locomotive. Regular excursion train tickets are $13 adults, $6 youths ages 6-17, ages 5 and under ride free. Specially themed excursion train prices vary; please inquire for details. The Railtown 1897 SHP complex includes an authentic railroad roundhouse with operating turntable, functional blacksmithing area, and belt-driven machine shop. Guided Roundhouse Tours are available daily at this unique facility in which locomotives and cars are inspected, repaired, and rebuilt—just as they have been for the past century! The complex includes related historic structures and Hollywood “props,” plus a large picnic area, Depot Store, and Interpretive Center. The Movie Railroad Known as “The Movie Railroad,” Railtown’s survival has been aided by the film industry. The first known filming was in 1919, for a silent serial called “The Red Glove.” Railtown 1897 and its historic locomotives and railroad cars have appeared in more than 200 films, television productions, and commercials. Still a popular Hollywood location site today, Railtown 1897’s most famous locomotive, “Movie Star” No. 3, has been called “perhaps the most widely seen locomotive in the world.” The Virginian (first sound motion picture filmed outside a sound studio), the western classic High Noon, and Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven were all filmed here. Movie crews also produced the railroad sequences in Back to the Future Part III at Railtown. TV credits include “Death Valley Days” (with Ronald Reagan) and “Petticoat Junction." Location-Directions The park is located in Jamestown, 3 miles south of Sonora, at 5th Avenue and Reservoir Road. Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing Summer and spring are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised. Photography • We welcome photography for personal use. • Handheld flash is allowed; however tripods and free standing flash are not permitted for safety reasons. • Commercial photography is allowed on a case by case basis by advance arrangement. Visit www.film.ca.gov for more information.	Park Features Icon Legend Upcoming Events Hours April through October, open daily 9:30am to 4:30pm; November through March open daily 10:00am to 3:00pm. Closed on Monday and Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. County Tuolumne Region Gold Country Click Here to Download Brochure Check out the Railtown 1897 SHP Blog The Railtown 1897 SHP is Just a Click Away Railtown 1897 SHP Website Museum Admission: Adults $5 Youth $3 (ages 6 to 17) Children Free (5 and under) Operating Hours April through October, open 9:30am to 4:30pm November through March open 10:00am to 3:00pm Railtown 1897 SHP is closed Monday and on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day Click Here for a Map to Railtown Railtown SHP Telephone (209) 984-3953 Recorded Program Information: (916) 445-6645 Mailing Address Railtown 1897 SHP P.O. Box 1250 Jamestown, CA 95327 Sierra 3 Steam Locomotive Experience California's History: Capital District State Museums & Historic Parks View Railtown 1897 SHP Railroad Equipment Roster (Sierra Railway) (pdf 37.1kb)